Mountainous City Cleans up For AAPP Guests

John Burger, director of business development of the Hilton (Chongqing) Hotel, is frightfully busy as his hotel has been chosen as the residence for overseas guests attending the third annual meeting of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP).

John Burger, director of business development of the Hilton (Chongqing) Hotel, is frightfully busy as his hotel has been chosen as the residence for overseas guests attending the third annual meeting of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP).

As the fifth manager of the Hilton (Chongqing) Hotel, Burger came here 10 months ago from South Africa. He is satisfied with his new job and believes the days in this mountainous city will be exciting.

"The act of building a chain hotel in a city of strategic importance in western China shows we have full confidence in western China. The status of present-day Chongqing is as important as that of Shanghai 10 years ago," Burger said.

Chongqing, the newest municipality in China, celebrated the fifth anniversary of its municipal status last month. The AAPP convention, scheduled here from April 17-19, will make it a global attraction.

Parliamentarians from 50 Asian countries are expected to gather here discussing programs of peace and development in Asia. A Chongqing Declaration will be issued at the meeting.

Chongqing attracted the world attention when it was set up in 1997. It plays the role of a bridge for development between eastern and western China. It was rated by the Fortune magazine as the fourth city of great potential in China.

Apart from Hilton, Chongqing has attracted more than 3,000 foreign-funded enterprises. It has established economic and trade ties with 140 countries and regions and set up 70 enterprises and trade representative offices in 30 countries and regions.

Consequently, foreign businessmen like Burger have come to Chongqing for business expansion. In their eyes, Chongqing combines China's fine tradition with modern amenities.

"I can feel the passion of industrious people in Chongqing,'' Burger said.

"Hilton picked up 5,200 staff from 8,000 applicants when it was set up. I was astonished at their fluent English and attitude to work. I had no idea that we had so many outstanding candidates."

Referring to the convention of the AAPP in Chongqing, Burger said, "Though this is the first time for Chongqing to hold such a high-level meeting, all people, including government officials and taxi drivers, are doing their best to make it a success."

Wang Yunlong, an official of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People Congress, said the AAPP convention in Chongqing is sure to speed up its opening-up to the outside world.